John Cornyn wins back Senate Armed Services Committee slot

Texas Sen. John Cornyn today landed a seat on the influential Senate Armed Services Committee &#151 just in time for battles over cuts in defense spending (and every other kind of spending).

AP photo

Sen. John Cornyn

Although Texas is one of the top states for military spending in the country, no senator from the state has been serving on the Armed Services Committee. Cornyn had given up the assignment earlier when he had the chance to serve on both the Finance and Budget committees.

“As the home to 15 major military installations and one out of every 10 U.S. troops, it is often said that Texas defends America,” Cornyn said in a statement released by his office. “I am proud to once again have the opportunity to represent Texas and our fine men and women in uniform on the Senate Armed Services Committee. This will ensure Texas continues to have a seat at the table when some of the most important decisions facing our military community are made.”

Cornyn will continue to serve on the Senate Committees on Finance, Judiciary, and Budget panels. The state’s senior senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Dallas, will keep her portfolio: Appropriations, Rules and Administration, and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Hutchison is the senior Republican on the Commerce Committee.